Elsie

Chapter 25: A Broken Girl

TW: Violence and sexual assault.

It was Friday afternoon, and Eileen sipped her wine in the lap of her client as he raised the bet.

"You're bluffing!" the older man across the table scoffed.

Eileen cocked a slender brow at her companion's opponent. "Is he now?" she challenged. "You won't know unless you play," she cooed in her most tantalizing voice.

Her patron slid a hand down her back as his opponent checked. "That's my girl," he smirked, eyeing her cleavage lustfully.

Eileen took another sip and smiled lazily. "Anything for you, darling," she purred, running a finger down the man's throat to his clavicle seductively.

When he tired of playing poker, he escorted her upstairs, and Eileen entertained him in her room. Once he was finished with her, he took his leave. Eileen exited shortly after him, heading towards the water closet, when a familiar figure came into view. Her stomach churned and she froze as she watched him approach. He walked with a limp and supported himself on a cane, but he looked just as menacing as he had ever been.

Mr. Pike reached her and cupped her face with his hand. A sneer already played on his lips. "Hello, Jewel," his foul breath invaded her senses. "Did you miss me, baby girl?"

Eileen trembled involuntarily, and he laughed. He grabbed a fistful of her hair and yanked her back towards her room. Eileen stumbled and tried to keep up with him to ease the discomfort she felt from his grip. He threw her into the room, kicking the door shut behind him. Eileen backed away, cowering near the table.

"Now, then," Mr. Pike hissed. "Shall we pick up where we left off?"

At Elmsdale, Elsie and Nora went about their daily routines. Nora sported a pair of puffy eyes, and her despondency worried all the staff.

"Nora," Elsie pulled her aside, "please don't look so glum. You're causing everyone to worry over you."

"How can you ask that of me?" Nora retorted.

Elsie sighed. "I was very angry last night," she admitted, "but I have yet to speak to Mr. Jones. I will confront him this evening, and he will have a chance to explain himself."

"What is there to explain?" Nora asked.

Elsie shook her head. "I don't know," she replied. "But we don't know for certain that he was there for Eileen."

"Well he wasn't there to see his barber!" Nora snapped.

"I... I know," Elsie bit her lip. "Only... I believe that everyone deserves a chance to explain themselves. Until then, we withhold judgment."

Nora nodded. In reality, Elsie had no hope left, but Nora was so distraught, she wanted to calm her somehow.

"It's almost time for dinner," Elsie continued. "Mr. Jones should be home within the hour."

Eileen could no longer submit under the pain. From past experience, she knew that resisting or fighting back would result in dire consequences, but she no longer cared. She twisted her body quickly and kicked as hard as she could.

Mr. Pike roared in pain. "Filthy whore!" he screamed. He backed away, and for the briefest of moments, Eileen thought she might have succeeded, but she was sorely mistaken. Instead of reaching for the door, Mr. Pike reached for his cane. Eileen shrieked as he lunged towards her, a blow landing hard on her rib cage as she attempted to dodge and covered her head. She fell to the floor in blinding pain, knowing for certain he had cracked a few of her ribs. Mr. Pike stood over her and raised his cane over his head.